Meta-Impressionism / other artists:
Léon Bonnat
1833 – 1922
a most awarded and influential artist
Introduction:
Born as Léon-Joseph-Florentin Bonnat in Bayonne. Born in Bayonne, where he later build the Musée Bonnat. Pupil of Delaroche and Cogniet. Lifelong friendship with Antonin Personnaz. Friendships with Degas, Moreau, Henner and Gérôme. Also connections with Puvis de Chavannes and Manet. Respected by ‘impressionists’ and academic painters.
Note: additional info and pictures will be added.
Léon Bonnat at the Salon:
Received at the Salon a 2nd class medal in 1861 + 1863 (rappèl).
Won a medaille d’honneur in 1869.
Léon Bonnat had shown a painting made for a chapel and as public monument ceilings of the Palais de Justice:
S1869-265, L’Assomption (église Saint-André in Bayonne), see iR293; iR497; see study in the musée Bonnat-Helleu (M191); see watercolour study (iR155).
S1869-Monument Public, Plafonds salle des Assises, Palais de Justice de Paris; see studies iR6; iR6.
Léon Bonnat at the Exposition Universelle:
At the Exposition Universelle he received in 1867 a 2nd class medal.
In 1889 he exhibited Hors Concours.
In 1900 he was part of the jury of the Decennial exhibition and also exhibited hors concours.
Showed at the Exposition Centennale in 1900 4 paintings: no.45 (see); no.46 (M1; iR4; iR23); no.47 (=? M1); no.48 (iR6; M191).
Léon Bonnat in the Légion d’Honneur:
Appointed in the Légion d’Honneur in 1867 as Chevalier, in 1874 as Officier, in 1882 as Commandeur and in 1897 as Grand Officier; in 1900 he received the Grand Croix.
Léon Bonnat, a most awarded artist:
Léon Bonnat was a most highly awarded artist. He received a medal of honour in 1869 at the Salon.
Léon Bonnat was most highly honoured. He was one of the few artists who received the Grand Croix in the Légion d’Honneur.
Léon Bonnat, an influential artist:
He was member of l’Institute since 1881 at the age of 48 and stayed a member for 41 years, a very long period.
Before 1882 he had a private art workshop together with Puvis de Chavannes.
Since 1882 professor at the École des Beaux-Arts; from 1888 till 1905 he was chef d’atelier de peinture; became director in 1905 till 1922. From 1900-22 he was director of the National Musea. Among his students were: Caillebotte and also Jean Béraud, Georges Bracque, Raoul Dufy, Edvard Munch, John Singer Sargent and Henri Toulouse-Lautrec.
Léon Bonnat as an artist:
Bonnat made portraits, religious paintings, genre paintings, landscapes and some oriental scenes.
So, a variety of themes and not typical néo-classicist art-works.
Léon Bonnat as an art-collector:
Léon bonnat also owned some art-works, namely a work of Ingres.
More works exhibited:
On this page you will find just a few paintings that Léon Bonnat made and exhibited at the Salon (iR1) and the Exposition Universelle (R231). Here below you will find some titles of works that are (quite certainly) are exhibited with links to other internet pages.
Note: additional info will be added.
Sources+ more info and pictures:
R9,p105/6; R231; R337/1886+1901; iR4; iR3; iR6; iR7; iR10; iR497.
See also the Musée Bonnat-Helleu in Bayonne (M191; iR6).
For further reading:
Additional references:
- mbh.bayonne.fr (main page of the Musée Bonnat-Helleu in Bayonne; =M191)
- soloarte-atelierdesarts.com//bonnat (115 pictures of Bonnat with limited information in Italien; =iR497)
- mydailyartdisplay.uk//bonnat (article and pictures on Bonnat; =iR498)
- mydailyartdisplay.uk//bonnat-2 (article and pictures on Bonnat; =iR498)
Recommanded citation: “Meta-Impressionism: Léon Bonnat (1833-1922), a most awarded and influential artist. Last modified 2025/12/01. ”
Note: additional info will be added.